Sounds of Inspiration

By Effie Rolfe

The Stellar Award goes to… The ballots are in and Chicago represented in a big way! Congratulations to the many Chicago artists, songwriters and producers who were nominated for one of the most prestigious awards in gospel music, the Stellar Awards. Donald Lawrence and Smokie Norful are up against each other in several categories including Artist of the Year; Male Vocalist of the Year; CD of the Year; Contemporary Male of the Year and Contemporary CD of the Year. While Norful was also nominated for Urban/Inspirational Single/Performance of the Year and Lawrence was nominated for Group/Duo of the Year; Producer of the Year and Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year; Valencia Lacy “Yes”/Shekinah Glory Ministry Live goes up against Donald Lawrence’s Celebrate for Song of the Year while Dianne Williams goes up for Female Vocalist of the Year, The Remix. Others included VaShawn Mitchell/New Artist of the Year; Dr. Charles G. Hayes, Shekinah Glory Ministry and Chicago Mass shared nominations for Choir of the Year. Daniel Weatherspoon and Rose Harper’s collaboration on Shekinah Glory Ministry garnered a nomination for Producer of the Year. Joann Rosario received a nod for Contemporary Female of the Year; Dianne Williams and Lemmie Battles go neck and neck for Traditional Female of the Year; Dr. Charles G. Hayes/Traditional CD and Choir of the Year as well as Music Video o f the Year. Tracy Worth, Mark Hubbard and the Voices as well as Joshua’s Troop were nominated in the categories of Music Video of the Year, Traditional Choir and Contemporary Choir of the Year respectively.

The Stellar Awards will return to Nashville on January 21st of next year. Vickie Winans,Israel Houghton and Donnie McClurkin will host the popular event at the Grand Ole Opry.

While Donald Lawrence is busy dominating the categories for the Stellar Awards, he has also been preparing for The Tri-City Singers Finale’. The choir will be in their final and farewell concert and recording November 16th and 17th at the Tabernacle in Atlanta, Georgia. Lawrence founded and began recording with the Tri-City Singers in 1993. Some of their classic and my favorites are when Sunday Comes, I Am God, Bless Me Indeed (Prayer of Jabez) and Restoring the Years.

On Thursday, November 17th from 6am to 6pm, Gospel 1390 invites youto become a ‘partner of hope’ as we host the first ever “Praise and Hope Radiothon,” November 17th to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The hospital Memphis, TN was founded by the late Danny Thomas in 1960. The hospital cares for children around the world with catastrophic diseases. 36% of their patients are African Americans.

Just for the record, Darius Brooks featuring SDM’s 6th Anniversary and Live Recording was off the hook!!! Professor L. Stanley Davis and I predicted the hit for the album, “My Time,” which will be available in the spring of 2006 on his record label, Journey Music Group. Also, Brooks will be one of the featured artists for the annual Christmas program at Apostolic Church of God.

Prayers continue for Dianne Williams and Sherese Wilson of the Warriors, who are now recuperating after being hospitalized after returning from an engagement in New York. Williams lead vocalist for Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer Choir experienced pneumonia in both lungs. Thank God “Jesus Can Work It Out”

Congratulations to Bishop Arthur M. Brazier 45th year anniversary of the Apostolic Church of God. Also, Pastor (Congressman) Bobby Rush and First Lady Caroline and their son, Rev Flynn Rush and the congregation of Beloved Community Christian Church recently celebrated their 3rd year anniversary.

“Remember you are blessed by the Best!”

ffie Rolfe is the religion entertainment columnist for the Chicago Defender. She is also midday host (Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) on WGRB-AM/1390 and Host of "Music of Love and Inspiration" Sunday Mornings on WGCI-FM/107.5 from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. Email Effie Rolfe at: effrolfe@aol.com